PBS Hawai‘i relies in large part upon contributions from individual viewers and support from local businesses and charitable foundations. We also qualify for grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and receive 1% of proceeds from the cable franchise fee.

What is the biggest financial challenge facing PBS Hawai‘i?

PBS Hawai‘i faces the constant challenge of upgrading aging equipment and facilities. Additionally, costs to acquire and broadcast our quality programming have risen substantially over the past few years. Unlike commercial stations, one of the largest sources of our revenue is our individual supporters, who help ensure that we can afford the $1.6 million it costs to purchase and air new shows each year.

Why is PBS Hawai‘i worthy of support?

As a non-profit organization, PBS Hawai‘i is truly Hawai‘i’s community station. First, no other station offers you the breadth and depth of programming that PBS Hawai‘i does. Second, no other station offers you the quality of programming that PBS Hawai‘i does, and lastly, no other station showcases the arts and talents of all people or highlights the concern of communities here in Hawai‘i, across the country, and around the world. PBS Hawaii doesn’t create programs to make money, we raise money to create meaningful programs for you and all the people of Hawai‘i. PBS Hawai‘i is the only locally owned TV broadcaster in the State of Hawai‘i.

Why did you replace my favorite program?

We receive our programs from a wide range of sources, including satellite delivery and local production in our own facility. On rare occasions these services may fail to deliver a needed program in time for its broadcast or the program received is not broadcast quality. Consequently, it may necessitate changes to our schedule. Whenever possible, we do make every effort to alert viewers and inform them if and when the show will be rescheduled through our program guide, here on our website, Facebook and Twitter.